Today's Edition
Abu Dhabi (Aletihad)
Abu Dhabi Art announced its forthcoming exhibitions and artist commissions for its 15th staging from November to February, including a wonderful mix of three emerging artists, a survey show by Emirati artist Hashel Al Lamki and commissioned works at specified sites by two established artists.
This year’s programme features the work of the trio – Almaha Jaralla, Samo Shalaby, and Latifa Saeed – as commissioned by Beyond Emerging Artists (BEA) and curated by Morad Montazami.
Since 2017, Beyond Emerging Artists (BEA) has provided three emerging artists in the UAE with a platform from which to develop their practice and realise ambitious art projects. The selected artists undertake a year-long programme of workshops and studio visits under the mentoring and supervision of a guest curator which leads toward the realisation of new projects for the Abu Dhabi Art Fair in November.
The regular Gateway exhibition series continues with the 2023 rendition, titled Maqam, presenting Al Lamki’s project and curated by Venetia Porter.
Each year, certain sites are specified to present commissioned works. The 2023 choices are in Al Ain at the Al Jahili Fort and Al Ain Oasis, where Nujoom Al Ghanem and Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim will be presenting their work.
The exhibitions and commissions will open to the public on November 22 and remain on view until the end of January 2024. However, the creations remain on exhibition to the public for several months beyond the fair dates.
The BEA curator Montazami said: “I am delighted to be collaborating with all three artists who have impressed me with their technical skills and interdisciplinary approach, but also their mindset and vision. Beyond their clear differences as artists, there are also shared concerns which connect them and bring them together. All three navigate an interesting path between private and public space, or the subjective and the collective.”
Maqam is curated by Venetia Porter and named after the residential neighbourhood of Al Ain where Al Lamki grew up.
Like the compositions of the maqam in music – a traditional pattern of melodic elements – this exhibition weaves together Al Lamki’s past works and current creations, offering a comprehensive understanding of his artistic evolution and his ambitions for the future. Within this creative journey, the interplay between natural landscapes and human intervention echoes as a profound underlying theme.
Venetia Porter said: “I first saw Hashel’s work at the Lyon Biennale (2022), Manifesto of Fragility, curated by Sam Bardaouil and Till Fellrath, and loved his large installation Rodinia. Spending time with Hashel, I have been struck by the complexity and range of the art he has been making this past decade and his ambitions for the future. This show will reflect that, while also highlighting the depth of his love for Al Ain where he grew up, and his fascination with the geology and history of the UAE.”
Renowned Emirati poet, artist, and multi-award-winning film director, Al Ghanem, said he was honoured and looking forward. “I spent a lifetime working in solitude under shades of colours and materials without knowing where my work would end up. Without realising it, art has become my magnificent companion and refuge. It has given me another medium of expression which turned out to be the most significant activity of my days.”
Abu Dhabi Art has announced a record lineup of 92 galleries from 31 countries in its biggest edition yet.
